Inmate convicted of Lowcountry rape dies in prison

Associated Press

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - A man serving life in prison for raping a Hilton Head Island woman in her home has died in prison of natural causes, according to the Corrections Department.

John Arnold Brinson, 48, died at a hospital Sunday. He had been serving his sentence at Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville, prison officials said.

The agency would not release any other details about Brinson's death.

Brinson broke into the woman's home in December 1999, sexually assaulting her for several hours. He was arrested a day later.

The victim became an advocate for other rape victims, frequently reaching out to other survivors. But family members said the attack took a toll on her and she committed suicide in July 2004.

Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com/